Diaper

ABSTRACT

A diaper suitable for adult use adapted to fit comfortably without bulk or pressure over the bony prominences of the pelvis. The garment is readily adjustable as to size, and is comfortable in any position assumed by the wearer. The material employed is textile fabric, such as bird&#39;&#39;s-eye cotton, which is bias cut to afford stretchability and contribute to comfort. The diaper consists essentially of a generally ovate body portion to cover the sacral region and the genitalia, terminating front and rear at the waist. A waist band is connected intermediate its ends to the rear of the body portion and has a loop at each free end. A single tie string is connected midway of its length to the front of the body portion, the end portion being threaded through the loops respectively, and then tied together to retain the diaper in place.

United States Patent 1191 Hathaway 1 DIAPER [76] lnventor: Lucille Hathaway, 4855 Monroe St.,

Lot 612, Toledo. Ohio 43623 [22] Filed: Feb. 22, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 444.898

Related US. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 161,140, July 9, 1971,

1451 May 13, 1975 Primary Examiner-Aldrich F. Medbery Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Malcolm W. Fraser, Esq.

[57] ABSTRACT A diaper suitable for adult use adapted to fit comfortably without bulk or pressure over the bony prominences of the pelvis. The garment is readily adjustable as to size, and is comfortable in any position assumed by the wearer. The material employed is textile fabric, such as bird's-eye cotton, which is bias cut to afford stretchability and contribute to comfort, The diaper consists essentially of a generally ovate body portion to cover the sacral region and the genitalia, terminating front and rear at the waist. A waist band is connected intermediate its ends to the rear of the body portion and has a loop at each free end. A single tie string is connected midway of its length to the front of the body portion, the end portion being threaded through the loops respectively, and then tied together to retain the diaper in place,

4 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures DIAPER CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application constitutes a division of application, Ser. No. 16l,l40, filed July 9, I97], now abandoned and entitled DIAPER CONSTRUCTION.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Diapers of this character have not been entirely satis factory because they have either been too bulky and uncomfortable or too complex and costly. These garments must be extremely simple so that they can be applied and removed with a minimum of trouble or exertion, because they are used mainly on aged or ill patients who can handle only the simplest device necessary for attachment or removal. These diapers should cover only the necessary parts of the body, and must afford as free and unrestricted movement of the legs as possible and militate against irritation or abrasion to the skin. Furthermore, the diaper should be capable of retaining a disposable underpad as a reinforcement and affording a sanitary protective appliance for the incontinent patient. Finally, metallic fasteners have been used, but these are undesirable because not only could they cause accidental injury, but also obstruct X-ray filming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A diaper is provided which consists of minimum construction having essentially a small body portion strate gically shaped, and having a narrow waist band to which tie strings are attached in a simple manner requiring no particular dexterity, but providing a simple feature of adjustment for comfortably fitting different size persons. The body portion is generally truncated ovate in form, being wider in that area subjected to greatest practical use. At the rear is attached. in a unique manner, a waist band at an intermediate region. The ends of the waist band have loops through which are threaded the ends of a tie string which is secured to the front of the body portion. The material is of washable flexible textile fabric which is bias cut for resilient flexibility.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. I is a plan view ofthe diaper in unfolded condition; and

FIG. 2 is a front view of the diaper in partially folded condition, one ol the tie strings being threaded through its loop preparatory to being tied to the other tie string after it has been threaded through its loop.

Dl'iSFRIITION ()I" THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 'lhe diaper is made from n washable textile fabric. such as cotton, and consists of a body portion III which may be described as of a truncated ovate form. The body portion is formed with an integral front panel ll of tapering form which, when in use. is folded toward the body portion III, :is shown in ll(i. 2. The body portion It) has its sides outwardly rounded to provide an enlarged sent urcn for the patient. The textile material, from which the diaper is formed, is bias cut so as to afford rcsilicncc or slrctchnbility in lateral directions for contributing to the comfort of the patient.

till

Attached by sewed seams to each longitudinal edge of the diaper are textile fabric bindings 12. In order to reinforce the free end of the front panel ll, an additional binding strip 13 is sewed in place by a seam 14 extending transversely, which not only assists in securing the binding strip 13 in place, but also serves to secure the intermediate portion of a tie string 15 in place. Instead of employing a separate strip 13, the end portion of the front panel 11 and accompanying marginal binding strips may be folded upon each other and then seamed in place. The end portions of the tie string 15 extend laterally in opposite directions, each end being adapted to be threaded through a loop and tied to the other end portion as will hereinafter appear.

A waist band 16 of substantial width is connected centrally to the marginal edge portion of the body portion 10. The waist band is of textile fabric material. and, as shown, consists of two pieces of fabric material placed one upon the other and secured together by longitudinal sewed seams l7 and 18. These strips overlap not only the free marginal edge of the body portion 10, but also the ends of the bindings 12 so that the sewed seam l8 attaches these parts securely to the waist band. Portions of the waist band, which may be equal portions, extend in opposite directions laterally from the body portion of the diaper and constitute the sole means to engage the waist of the patient.

In each end of the waist band is a loop 19 which is of textile fabric material, and consists of a strip of such material folded upon itself and secured in place by a sewed seam 20. For securing the diaper in place, opposite end portions of the tie string 15 are threaded respectively through the loops l9 and drawn together to effect the desired tautness. Then these end portions are tied together in the usual manner, thereby securing the diaper to the body of the patient.

Although it is not shown on the drawings, it will be understood that the diaper may be supplemented with a disposable underpad of suitable absorbent material to afford a sanitary protective unit for the incontinent patient.

What I claim is:

l. A diaper particularly adapted for adult use. comprising a textile fabric body of bias cut to afford lateral resilient flcxiblity and having a front panel flap, the upper marginal edge of said fabric body being slightly wider than the upper marginal edge of said front panel and that rear portion of the fabric body adjacent the upper marginal edge portion of the fabric body having side edges outwardly contoured to afford a larger seat area, the front panel being folded toward the rear body portion when in position of use,

at waist band of textile fabric secured intermediate its ends to the edge portion of said upper end portion of the fabric body with the free end portions thereofextending outwardly in opposite directions substantially beyond the upper end portion of the fabric body and constituting the principal waistengaging portion of the diaper.

an npcrturgd device on each free end of said waist band. and

a single tig ntring secured intermediate its ends to the free eml portion of said front panel, thereby providing tw tic portions adapted to be threaded respecflwly "trough the said npertured devices of the waist band and then tied together for securing the diaper upon the body of the wearer thereof.

2. A diaper as claimed in claim 1, further comprising edge bindings for opposite marginal side edges of the fabric body, a sewed seam for securing the waist band to said fabric body, said apertured device constituting fabric strips folded upon themselves to form loops, and sewed seams securing said loops to the respective ends of said waist band.

3. A diaper, particularly adapted for adult use, comprising;

A. a textile fabric of bias cut comprising a body portion and a front panel flap which are both integral parts of the same fabric, and further comprising an upper marginal edge of the body portion which is slightly wider than an upper marginal edge of the front flap, that part of the body portion adjacent to the upper marginal edge of the body part having side edges contoured outwardly to provide a larger seat area, the front panel, when in use, being folded toward the front of the wearer, through the crotch, and upward to cover the lower abdomen,

8, a ribbon of textile fabric having a central portion and two outer ends and secured in its central portion to the upper marginal edge of the body portion and extending outward in each direction from the body portion when extended a distance greater than the width of the upper marginal edge of the body portion,

C. two closed loops of fabric, respectively secured to the two outer ends of said ribbon, and

D. a single tie string comprising two end portions and an intermediate portion, the string being secured by its intermediate portion to a portion of the front panel flap in the vicinity of the upper marginal edge of the front flap and extending outward in each direction from the front flap when extended a distance greater than the width of the upper marginal edge of the front flap,

whereby the string provided two end portions adapted to be threaded respectively through the two closed loops on the ends of the ribbon, the end portions of the string then being adapted to be tied together with a single knot to secure the diaper upon the wearer thereof.

4. In a diaper for adult use by invalid patients comprising a textile fabric of bias cut including a body portion and a front panel flap which are both integral parts of said fabric, and further comprising an upper marginal edge of the body portion which is slightly wider than an upper marginal edge of the front flap, that part of the body portion adjacent to the upper marginal edge of the body part having side edges contoured outwardly to provide a larger seat area, the front panel, when in use, being folded toward the front of the wearer, through the crotch and upward to cover the lower abdomen,

the improved means for tying the garment in a front central position of the body over the lower abdomen for holding the garment in a close relationship to the body, whereby the patient can reach the front central position for tying the garment equally easily with both hands despite minimal manual dex terity, comprising:

A. a ribbon of textile fabric having a central portion and two outer ends and secured in its central portion to the upper marginal edge of the body portion and extending outward in each direction from the body portion when extended a distance greater than the width of the upper marginal edge of the body portion,

B. two closed loops of fabric, respectively secured to the two outer ends of said ribbon, and

C. a single tie string comprising two end portions and an intermediate portion, the string being secured by its intermediate portion to a portion of the front panel flap in the vicinity of the upper marginal edge of the front flap and extending outward in each direction from the front flap when extended a distance greater than the width of the upper marginal edge of the front flap,

whereby the string provides two end portions adapted to be threaded respectively through the two closed loops on the ends of the ribbon, the end portions of the string then being adapted to be tied together with a single knot to secure the diaper upon the wearer thereof. 

1. A diaper particularly adapted for adult use, comprising a textile fabric body of bias cut to afford lateral resilient flexiblity and having a front panel flap, the upper marginal edge of said fabric body being slightly wider than the upper marginal edge of said front panel and that rear portion of the fabric body adjacent the upper marginal edge portion of the fabric body having side edges outwardly contoured to afford a larger seat area, the front panel being folded toward the rear body portion when in position of use, a waist band of textile fabric secured intermediate its ends to the edge portion of said upper end portion of the fabric body with the free end portions thereof extending outwardly in opposite directions substantially beyond the upper end portion of the fabric body and constituting the principal waistengaging portion of the diaper, an apertured device on each free end of said waist band, and a single tie string secured intermediate its ends to the free end portion of said front panel, thereby providing two tie portions adapted to be threaded respectively through the said apertured devices of the waist band and then tied together for securing the diaper upon the body of the wearer thereof.
 2. A diaper as claimed in claim 1, further comprising edge bindings for opposite marginal side edges of the fabric body, a sewed seam for securing the waist band to said fabric body, said apertured device constituting fabric strips folded upon themselves to form loops, and sewed seams securing said loops to the respective ends of said waist band.
 3. A diaper, particularly adapted for adult use, comprising; A. a textile fabric of bias cut comprising a body portion and a front panel flap which are both integral parts of the same fabric, and further comprising an upper marginal edge of the body portion which is slightly wider than an upper marginal edge of the front flap, that part of the body portion adjacent to the upper marginal edge of the body part having side edges contoured outwardly to provide a larger seat area, the front panel, when in use, being folded toward the front of the wearer, through the crotch, and upward to cover the lower abdomen, B. a ribbon of textile fabric having a central portion and two outer ends and secured in its central portion to the upper marginal edge of the body portion and extending outward in each direction from the body portion when extended a distance greater than the width of the upper marginal edge of the body portion, C. two closed loops of fabric, respectively secured to the two outer ends of said ribbon, and D. a single tie string comprising two end portions and an intermediate portion, the string being secured by its intermediate portion to a portion of the front panel flap in the vicinity of the upper marginal edge of the front flap and extending outward in each direction from the front flap when extended a distance greater than the width of the upper marginal edge of the front flap, whereby the string provided two end portions adapted to be threaded respectively through the two closed loops on the ends of the ribbon, the end portions of the string then being adapted to be tied together with a single knot to secure the diaper upon the wearer thereof.
 4. In a diaper for adult use by invalid patients comprising a textile fabric of bias cut including a body portion and a front panel flap which are both integral parts of said fabric, and further comprising an upper marginal edge of the body portion which is slightly wider than an upper marginal edge of the front flap, that part of the body portion adjacent to the upper marginal edge of the body part having side edges contoured outwardly to provide a larger seat area, the front panel, when in use, being folded toward the front of the wearer, through the crotch and upward to cover the lower abdomen, the improved means for tying the garment in a front central position of the body over the lower abdomen for holding the garment in a close relationship to the body, whereby the patient can reach the front central position for tying the garment equally easily with both hands despite minimal manual dexterity, comprising: A. a ribbon of textile fabric having a central portion and two outer ends and secured in its central portion to the upper marginal edge of the body portion and extending outward in each direction from the body portion when extended a distance greater than the width of the upper marginal edge of the body portion, B. two closed loops of fabric, respectively secured to the two outer ends of said ribbon, and C. a single tie string comprising two end portions and an intermediate portion, the string being secured by its intermediate portion to a portion of the front panel flap in the vicinity of the upper marginal edge of the front flap and extending outward in each direction from the front flap when extended a distance greater than the width of the upper marginal edge of the front flap, whereby the string provides two end portions adapted to be threaded respectively through the two closed loops on the ends of the ribbon, the end portions of the string then being adapted to be tied together with a single knot to secure the diaper upon the wearer thereof. 